'Revellers to shun pubs on New Year's Eve'

The recession is forcing most people to stay at home on New Year's Eve after a year of cutting back on spending, new research has revealed. A survey of 2,000 adults by the Post Office showed more than two thirds were planning a night in, with most blaming a lack of money for not going out. Some of those questioned said they would prefer to be at home with their family, with only seven per cent definitely going to a pub or club to see in the New Year. - Press Association​

Thousands of pub landlords are preparing a mutiny against suppliers in protest at the prices they pay for beer. The GMB union said it would ballot 25,000 'tied tenants' - licensees who buy exclusively from pub companies - about the possibility of industrial action. Britain's third-largest union says tied tenants pay premium rates for beer and will urge them to rebel by slashing the cost of a pint unless pub companies reduce their wholesale prices. - Daily Mail​

Bedford-based brewer and pub operator Charles Wells plans to grow the number of pubs its operates in France from five to 13 by 2013. During the 2008-09 financial year the pubs generated revenues of €3m (£2.7m). The pubs look like the genuine British article, but achieving authenticity has not been without challenges. "Getting people to come to the bar to be served is difficult," says Jacques Sade, Charles Wells' operations manager. "We've had people sitting at a table for 20 minutes waiting." - Financial Times​

Health chiefs in Scotland have warned the ongoing battle against the bulge and the booze will lead to a rise in the number of diabetes sufferers in the Lothians. It is expected that there will be a 7 per cent rise in cases, sparking concern about the strain it will place on healthcare. Obesity in all age groups is being blamed for the projected increase, as well as alcoholism, which can lead to the condition. - Scotsman​

The Isle of Man has seen a massive reduction in total crimes since a new £42m jail opened in August 2008. Some put the decline in crime down to the facility being Europe's one and only completely non-smoking prison, with smoking not even allowed in the prison exercise yard. Even prison guards are banned from smoking anywhere on the premises and have to go into a nearby car park to light up. Prisoners are told they have no choice but to give up and are given free nicotine patches and counselling sessions to help them beat their cravings. - Daily Telegraph​